Stories and happenings in the life of a flight attendant written after my book.
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All photos by Penguin Scott unless noted.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Adventures in Life: Peter Max

Artist, Peter Max

People always love
to drop names. On social media, friends are always posting about the
famous they encounter. As I get older, I recognize fewer of the
names. It's always fun to meet people who are well known. There was a
time when meeting even smaller stars was a thrill for me. In college
and beyond, I spent six years working concert security. I've met so
many stars, I began a binder to keep track. They are mostly from the
world or music, but I've also met quite a few movie and TV
personalities and people from the political world.

Of course, my
biggest rock star moments have been those shared with Stevie Nicks.
I've shaken her hand a few times and once, at a fund raiser, where I
paid $1000 for a ticket, I was able to have a meaningful conversation
with her parents.

I enjoy conversing
with the famous. I spoke to Dire Straits front man Mark Knopfler once
about fireworks. I spoke to Jimmy Buffet about roller coasters and
Margaritas. When Jon Bon Jovi needed a ride to the Houston Galleria,
I drove him in my car. I kept myself from laughing when talking to Al
Gore because his accent was just like the Saturday Night Live parody.
I met George H.W. Bush and spoke to Barbara Bush as she signed her
autograph for me.

Similar to my first Peter Max

Nearly 20 years ago,
I discovered an artist by the name of Peter Max. I loved his bright
colors, smart meanings and bold style. I attended an auction and
outbid someone on his art. Afterwards, the failed bidder approached
me and offered double what I had paid, as she decided she just had to
have it. More than anything, it was her lust for the piece that told
me to hang on to it. A few years later, at yet another auction, I
acquired a second piece of his work. Soon, I was an official
collector with 5. He is, without doubt, my favorite artist.

It was late. We were
cruising to Lima, Peru at 36,000 feet and I was bored. I grabbed a
magazine to peruse and came across an ad listing a meet the artist,
featuring Peter Max. It's said what the Beatles did for music, Peter
Max did for the art world. A slight “squee” may have escaped my
lips as I looked to see what city this would occur in. Lo and behold,
it was in Houston...for the very day I was to return from Lima...just
two days away! Fate.

I arrived at the
Galleria Mall early, expecting a line. The gallery was still closed
and dark, and there was no line, so I went for a bite to eat. Mom
called to check in on me and I told her what I was doing, saying I
hoped he'd be free to just approach and speak to, as opposed to him
sitting at a table and signing pieces of art. I doubted the former.
Surely this would be an event packed by people. I was actually
surprised there was no line out front to get in...and glad, too, as
it was misting and wet.

Peter Max Earth Day

She wished me luck
and at noon, when the gallery opened, I returned. There were very few
people inside and the Beatles were playing from the speakers. On the
walls were hundreds of Peter Max paintings. The prices ranged from
$1800 to $75,000 or more. I found one quite similar to the one I
bought and was ecstatic to see a price on it of three times what I
paid some 8 years ago. Good investment, but I don't want to sell.

A man approached me
and introduced himself as Nim, one of Peter Max's assistants. He
inquired to my interest and I spoke to him about the 5 pieces I
owned. He led me to a piece of similarity (Peter Max often does many
of a series with slight differences in each) known as “Without
Boarders” and explained the meanings found within the art. He then
led me to Peter Max, sitting in a chair looking as if he were waiting
for something to happen. I was introduced, and Nim told Peter I was a
collector. Peter sat up with interest as he asked what pieces I
owned. Some have been in storage for 7 years, so I was hard-pressed
to describe them well. He was very happy to hear that I was a fan and
considered him my favorite artist.

Then, to my
disbelief, I entered into a nice long conversation with Peter Max,
just as I'd hoped to do. We spoke about his upbringing; his being
born in Berlin but leaving after 10 months to go to Beijing. We spoke
about that wonderful city and how much it had changed. When talking
about his time in Israel, he was very interested that I had been
there, as if he meets few who have. I patted my stomach as I
professed my love of their food! He agreed. When mentioning that my
best friend is from Ra'anana, Israel, he shook his head, familiar
with the area.

The image I asked him to sign

I then produced a
photo I had printed from home of one of my favorite pieces he had
done. It was a Pan Am 747. He looked at it, recognized it, and
guessed he had done that in the early 70's. He asked why I liked it.
I told him I had a love of airliners and it just spoke to me. We then
talked about his painting a 777 for Continental Airlines, of which I
own a model.

It was an awesome
conversation that lasted about half an hour. Soon, another person
entered his presence and I didn't want to hog all of his time. I
resumed looking at his work, and as I walked away, he told me to
consider purchasing one of the pieces I told him that I very much
loved...the Houston skyline. It was much more than I could afford.

What I did discover,
was an older piece of his, done as an etching in watercolor and
pencil called Celestial Sunrise. It was affordable and I decided I
just had to have it, especially after having the meaning of it
explained to me. There are two sages guarding the sunrise (one of my
many nicknames is Grand Sage). UFOs dot the skies (I'm fascinated by
the theory of ancient aliens).

Celestial Sunrise

As they took it off
the wall, I made a comment that my mother was going to kill me! They
placed it on an easel and Peter Max walked over to dedicate it. On
the back, he wrote a note inside a large heart with three dots
underneath. My sixth piece of art. He also signed the 747 I printed
from home, so technically, my 7th piece (and Nim said that
little photo is instantly worth $2000 for his having signed it!).

There are few
personalities in the world that I would gush about being able to
meet. Stevie Nicks is top of that list (while having met her, I've
yet to have a conversation with her). Peter Max was another. I was so
lucky to have found that ad just in time. I was very fortunate to
have the kind of conversation I had dreamed of having with him. The
only disappointment was that I was unsuccessful in convincing him to
draw a penguin for me. Nim said he would do so...if I paid for it!